Two Entangling Fates

What an intense ending to a very interesting book! Two separate worlds collide; each unable to escape the other. Events keep on building which effect both the lives of Delaney Mossbacher, a white, upper-class American citizen and Candido Rincon, an illegal Mexican immigrant. A freak car accident, an out of control blazing fire, and finally a severe mudslide allows these two men's lives to intertwine. But what makes this book so unique that it deserves much attention? Is it the style? Is it the character development? Or is it the plot? The answer is none of the above. The core aspect of the novel The Tortilla Curtain by T.C Boyle that makes it extremely interesting is the consistent juxtaposition of the tribulations Whites and Mexicans both face. As you read you begin to develop the same hate as the characters possess in the novel, hate that you can not believe you have. I was astonished with my own feelings towards Candido and at times Delaney as well. Also, the novel contains the themes of racism, the American Dream, and survival. Each theme is heavily portrayed giving the reader a deep sense of the ideas the author wanted to convey. The book focuses (generally) on how people judge each other due to ethnicity , stereotypes, and pure stupidity. More specifically, the constant misunderstanding between a race that lives each day in luxury and one that clings to the hope of surviving another day. Personally, my emotions towards these two men swayed with each different chapter. At some points my heart was with Delaney, while other times I pitied Candido and his wife America.

I began researching the book online - looking for interesting videos, websites, or criticism - when I stumbled upon an interesting movie trailer for The Tortilla Curtain made by some other students. Its music is very appropriate and the scenes are factual to the book.



Let's swerve away from the actual text....shall we? The topic of illegal immigrants is the basis of this novel -this is a very controversial yet interesting topic to research. Should immigrants from Mexico be allowed to cross the border into the United States? Clearly, they should not. There comes a point in time when to many immigrants has a negative effect. If I continue my research on this on going issue of border control and the number of illegal aliens entering the United States, my next blog will be focused on the facts; it will settle any misunderstood thoughts and sentiments regarding this issue.

The Cream Colored Skin Connection

The wind blew past my face making goose bumps rise along my outstretched arms. I gripped the wheel tight and continued down the road basking in the sunlight that danced behind the tree tops. My mind wandered; I let the air and surroundings engulf me. Then I saw her. Cars shot passed mine as time stood still. A very stocky woman with long but thin black hair, her skin the color of a ceramic vase, waited at the side of the road. Immediately, thoughts of remorse, shame, and pity entered my mind – how could she be standing at the side of a highway; was she waiting to cross the stampede of cars? It was all in this one moment that I felt sorry for this Mexican girl. As I drove passed her down the road late for my nail appointment I could think only of the book I have been reading for english class, what a perfect connection to the book that has inched its way into my daily life.

Some might find this book distasteful because of its underpinnings of racism. But I on the other hand find the book intriguing. The Tortilla Curtain by T.C. Boyle expands the mind of the reader; it allows for two worlds to collide worlds that would have never weaved together. The novel is unlike any other I have read. Instantly in the first few chapters you begin to feel guilty; you finally realize how much you take for granted: food, water, shelter, work, and education. There are millions of people in the world who do not have the luxuries you and I have. And as you a reading this you might be thinking to yourself, oh I wish I had more clothes or I really want that new thing or Can I go there for Spring Break? WAKE UP! Sorry to break the truth to you so late in life but stop being so selfish. Trust me I know it is hard, because I am very selfish at times, but I am learning to appreciate what I have even more after starting this book. Okay, so I’m only six chapters into the book I’m going to read more now so expect another post from me in a few days when I have more material to work off of. But for now, here is a little fact that I stumbled upon through my research.

** Did you know that the leading country of illegal immigrants is Mexico? Their total is the highest with 5.9 million people. That number is climbing each day as Mexican cross the border. I have nothing agianst Mexicans and this is not a racist arguement. I just think that the amount of illegal people in the country should be way less depsite what country they orginate from. **

The Hardest Thing To Do: Forgive

For english class I was way ahead of the game and finished the book, The Sunflower by Simon Wiesenthal a week ago. As soon I began reading the story I was compelled to finish it the first night it was in my possession. Maybe it was becasue I could relate to the story that was being told; my grandma was also a Holocaust survivor, or it could have been Wiesenthal's language and style that kept me intrested. At the end of reading the entire book, I give nothing but good praise. But it was not until I started my creative assignment that I learned the most. I not only learned about the Holocaust and the trifles the Jewish people underwent, but I learned increasingly more about the man who attempted to hunt down Nazi soldiers years later Simon Wiesenthal. I have a lot of respect for Simon Wiesenthal and the tasks he accomplished after his survival of one of the most deadly genocides in history. He fought for his life and continued to fight until justice was served. His actions also provoke cosntant thought and attention, thus he remains one of the most respected Holocaust survivors. I wish I had the chance to meet him before he passed awy at age 96. Through my research for my project, I discovered this video that highlights Wiesenthal's life during and after the Holocaust; I found it to be very intresting and included it in my unit plan for the novel.Also for those intrested in the life of Simon Wiesnethal click this link: Simon Wiesenthal: A Nazi Hunter.

Simon Wiesenthal poses a question that is constantly thought about; it drives people insane. Would you have forgave a Nazi Soldier who confessed the deadly sins he preformed against your brothers and sisters, the Jewish people? How would you respond? What would you say? These are just a few questions I have thought about after reading. I can honeslty say that I have so much anamosity built up towards the Nazis that I know that they do not deserve forgiveness, or as a matter of fact, my attention. Simply, the Holocaust is a genocide that will never be forgotten and the soldiers who masacured the Jews will also never be forgotten and should never be granted forgiveness. One may call me harsh and ruthless but that is the truth. No one who murders anothor, no matter the reason, should be forgiven for their actions. Newton's Third Law was designed for a reason: For every action their is an equal and opposite reaction. German SS Soldiers who seek forgiveness will never find it; therefore, Simon Wiesenthal's decision to ignore the grant for forgivness is compeletly vaild and appropriate.

If you think you might be intresting in reading this book click the following link: book review this is an intresting and detailed book review [ book may be spoiled if read]